They look at one who is continually doing good and beautiful things, or great and noble things, and think that he is specially favored, that the chances which come to him for such things are exceptional.

Really, however, it is in his capacity for seeing and accepting what the hours bring of duty or privilege, that his success lies.

Where other men see nothing, he sees a battle to fight, a duty to perform, a service to render, or an honor to win.

Many a man waits long for opportunities, wondering why they never come to him, when really they have been passing by him day after day, unrecognized and unaccepted.
There is a legend of an artist, who long sought for a piece of sandal-wood out of which to carve a Madonna.

At last he was about to give up in despair, leaving the vision of his life unrealized, when in a dream he was bidden to shape the figure from a block of oak-wood, which was destined for the fire.